Previously:
Harry put out his hand looking at the other two. They put theirs out as well on top of his. "We're just about ready to take the biggest step of our lives so far," he said, looking at his best friends in the eye.
"We solemnly swear to stick together!" they all shouted as one before walking onto the train.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The train was pretty crowded. Older children were chatting happily with their peers and friends. It seemed like the students were migrating all around and before Harry knew it, him and Ron were backing up to the wall while poor Hermione was being pushed. She had a very frustrated look upon her face, cheeks beginning to flush like they usually did when she was under pressure. They had finally pushed her so she was right beside Harry, back pressed up against the wall.
Ron and Harry exchanged looks after they saw one of the most terrifying things that Harry had been subjected to only a few times, and Ron about once a day.
Hermione was showing her teeth.
A definite sign presenting she was ticked off.
Harry grabbed her arm, trying to keep her calm, but before it did any good, someone stepped on her foot and set her off.
"Ttttttttthat's it!" she said, jerking her head to get the hair out of her face. She seized Harry's arm, and Harry instinctively grabbed Ron's arm.
"Move out of the way!!!" she said to passing people, pushing through anyone who was in front of her. Some of the student's looked down, curiously, only to find themselves met with the sight of bushy brown hair. From behind Hermione, Harry was desperately holding on to both his friends' hands, unable to fix his glasses, which had skewed on his face when someone's arm got in the way.
"Alright, Ron?" he called back.
"To quote Sirius, 'Just Bloody Peachy!'" Ron answered sarcastically, "After all, I've got a lovely dislocated shoulder as a result of this."
Up ahead, Hermione was still pushing her way through the crowd, occasionally stopping to push open compartment doors and look inside for room. "You'd think that some intelligent people here would maybe find a place to congregate other than the hallway!!!" Hermione purposely shouted, sarcastically. Harry and Ron tried to hide their faces when they all received stares from the upperclassmen.
Finally, Hermione found an empty compartment and started to walk in, but not before shouting to the crowd, "Gosh Harry, maybe you should just transform into DUMBLEDORE himself. After all, being a PRINCE obviously doesn't get you any respect around here!!!" That received even more stares, most looking very intrigued. Harry once again tried to hide his face while he rushed into the compartment, followed closely by Ron, while Hermione brought in the rear, smirking smugly at the still gaping crowd and hearing murmurs of "Harry Potter." "That's Harry Potter." "The Prince".
She slammed the compartment door shut and looked at her best friends, who were looking behind her, Harry a little green, and Ron seemingly uninterested. Hermione turned to look behind her and saw the windows of the compartment used as a seeing passageway to many of the students. Rolling her eyes, she simply closed the drapes on the sides of the window and heard some groans from the other side. She turned back, a smirk upon her face, "That was fun." she said plainly.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Anything off the trolley, dears?" an old, kind looking women inquired after opening their compartment door.
"Who has the money our parents gave us?" Ron asked, looking between Hermione and Harry.
Harry grabbed into his pocket and pulled out a handful of galleons. Smiling knowingly at Ron, who returned the smile, he said to the woman, "We'll take the lot."
So, they feasted on Chocolate Frogs, Bertie's Beans, and every other thing imaginable. Ron was the one to finish up to sweets. He lay back, patting his stomach contently.
Hermione clutched her stomach and moaned painfully, "I think I should have just stopped after the seventh Chocolate Frog," she groaned.
"And to think, we'll be eating a grand feast tonight," Harry said, sighing contently, not at all disturbed by the sweets.
"Yeah," Ron said, a twinkle in his eye, "With juicy, plump turkey."
"Warm, soft, pillow-light mashed potatoes," Harry supplied, looking up into space, dreamily.
"Rich, thick gravely."
"Sweet, scrumptious yams."
"Delightfully tender roast."
"And…delicious, chocolate éclairs."
"Pudding."
"Cookies."
"Cake."
"STOP!"
They both looked to Hermione, who had turned a rather interesting shade of green. "I think I'm going to be sick!"
"Oh, come now, Hermione," Ron said, not at all affected by her composure. "You've got to admit, that all sounds rather appetizing.
Hermione moaned again, "Maybe before I had all those sweets. Now, all it sounds like is an invitation to become ill."
"But what about all the turkey, chicken, the potatoes-,"
"Stop, stop, stop!" Hermione interrupted Ron pleadingly. Harry and Ron both chuckled.
"We'll stop, Hermione." Harry said after a few minutes.
"Good, I would hate to have to kill you both before you're first day." Hermione said.
They chatted for the rest of the trip, a chess game or two was played, then Exploding Snaps. They got a few visits from Neville, who was frantically looking for his pet of two years, a green frog named Trevor, and the twins, who begged Harry for access to the map, whom the later refused. Seamus stopped by for a while to introduce them to his new friend, a muggle-born named Dean. Parvati and Padma stopped by to ask them if they knew when they were to be arriving.
Again, they really didn't seem too interested in anyone. They were in and out the door quicker than you could say, "Quidditch."
"Talkative bunch they are, eh?" Ron said dryly.
"I just hope I'm not stuck with just them if I get sorted into the same house." Hermione muttered darkly, a little put out by their behavior.
Eventually, they made it. They heard a voice over the intercom telling them they would be arriving in Hogwarts in a matter of five minutes. Hermione had to find another compartment to dress in.
She walked down the now semi-empty hall in search of a compartment, or even a bathroom to change in. She wasn't watching where she was going for a moment and suddenly felt someone bump into her shoulder.
"Sorry," she immediately replied, her eyes rising to meet a cold pair of grey eyes.
"Watch where you're going." The boy snapped and instantaneously starting to walk away.
"Well, excuse me." Hermione muttered to herself disdainfully.
She sighed huffily as she opened a compartment door and found it empty.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
About five minutes later, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were walking with the rest of the students out of the train. They looked around curiously before they heard a booming voice call out, "Firs' years over here!"
They all three turned and found looking directly at a familiar face.
Harry grinned and muttered, "Hagrid."
"Come on, let's say hullo!" Hermione exclaimed, pulling them toward the giant.
Hagrid was a friend of the royal families for many, many years. He was the assistant of the old gamekeeper and keeper of keys at Hogwarts when Harry's father and the gang attended; now he held the duty.
"Hagrid!!!" The three exclaimed as soon as they reached him, all giving him a hug.
"Hello, Harry, Hermione, Ron!" Hagrid beamed at them, "How've yeh been?"
"Well, thanks." Harry replied. "And you?"
"Doin' just fine. How's th' folks?" he inquired.
"Not bad," Hermione replied.
"Alright," Harry supplied.
"Don't ask." Ron said.
Suddenly, they were all very aware that many of the first years were giving them curious and awe-filled looks. Hagrid cleared his throat loudly, "Name's Rubeus Hagrid. I'm th' Keeper o' Keys at Hogwarts. Now then, we'll be travelin' by boats," he indicated the lake near them that had a large amount of small rowboats floated in it, "No more then four to a boat."
They all scattered to reach a boat. Hermione, Harry, Ron, and Neville all floated along, waiting anxiously to see the forever wondrous castle that all first years dream about. "Jus' ahead o' this bend yeh'll see th' castle!" Hagrid called back to all the 11 year olds from his own boat towards the front.
Neville leaned over Hermione, blocking her view, an eager look upon his face as he tried to see the castle first.
"Neville." Hermione whined, a little frustrated as she moved her head to see.
Neville paid her no heed, just kept where he was. And soon, all four eyes lit up with delight at seeing the beautifully lit up castle.
"It looks just like one of your old toy castles, Hermione." Harry observed, voice filled with awe.
"Except it's a lot larger." Ron put in, not taking his eyes off the castle. Around them, many 'ohhh's and 'awww's were heard.
Before any of them knew it, their boat jerked to a stop and they climbed out. Hagrid lead them up to a large door and knocked.
A few seconds later, a stern looking woman opened the door.
"Hullo, Professor McGonagall, I broug' th' studen's." Hagrid said cheerfully.
Professor McGonagall nodded a faint smile on her face, "Thank you, Hagrid. I'll take them from here." Hagrid nodded and bid goodbye to the first years, waving to the trio.
"Now, follow me everyone, and no wondering around." The Professor addressed them all.
She started through long halls, the little first years in awe behind her. Harry noticed suits of armor in long rows, moving paintings of old Warlocks and Witches, Veelas, Magical animals and much more. He realized how much Hogwarts resembled his castle; he sure felt right at home here.
McGonagall was currently leading them up a large staircase and suddenly stopped. She turned to face them and said briskly, "You all wait here, I will be back soon. I do not want anyone wondering off. If I see that you have, you will receive immediate detention." She let her eyes roam over the crowd, her gaze stopping on Harry. A ghost of a smile appeared on her face before she turned and walked swiftly into a set of doors.
Harry was the only one to notice McGonagall's lingering stare. Pondering it a little, he let his attention go back to his friends. Ron was searching his pockets in his robes for something, and, with a smug grin on his face, he pulled out a chocolate frog and dug in. Hermione was tapping her foot, gazing around at all the students, seeming to study each on intently. Neville had a stressed look upon his face; he had yet to find his frog. Seamus was talking quietly with Dean about which was better, Soccer or Quidditch. Most of the others were just staring around them, a little pale in the face. Harry knew the reason for their anxiousness. It was a tradition in some families to not tell their child how they go about being sorted into their houses. And surely due to some of the troublemakers like Fred and George in the school, they had heard some horrific stories.
Suddenly, Harry heard a voice, a cold, malicious voice, speak from his right side, "So, the rumors are true then. Our own Prince Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts this year."
Harry turned his head and his gaze met the sight of a pale boy with platinum blonde hair and cold, grey eyes. He had a bored look upon his face, his gaze not leaving Harry. Remembering his manners, Harry straightened up and said, "Yes, that's right." He nodded politely. He extended his hand and said elegantly, "I'm Harry Potter."
The boy looked at his hand, a scowl upon his face, "Draco Malfoy." He said simply, not at all making a move to reach for Harry's hand. When Harry realized this, an uncomfortable silence fell upon all the students, who were watching them intently. Harry lowered his hand slowly, studying the boy in front of him.
They just stared at each other for a few seconds. Finally, Malfoy said icily, "It appears that our land is in trouble."
Harry tilted his head to the side, his eyes hardening a little, "And just what is that announcement believed to signify?" he said, an edge on his voice. He really was beginning to abhor this boy in front of him.
"It means that with the current king ill, your father will soon be taking over. That itself will cause definite world annihilation." Draco said smoothly as though he were talking about the weather and not insulting royalty.
"Who do you think you are!!!?" Hermione exploded, her eyes blazing with complete fury.
Draco turned to look at her, his upper lip curling in a detesting way. His eyes quickly scanned over her and he said haughtily, "I do believe I already introduced myself, unless your rather large ears didn't catch it."
Both Harry and Ron exclaimed out different objections. Draco turned again and looked at Ron, eyes hardening, "And just who are you?"
"They are both noble subjects, Malfoy!" Harry snarled before Ron could even open his mouth. "Sir Ronald Weasely and Lady Hermione Granger. And you had better watch what you say to both of them."
"I will say whatever I bloody please to them, Prince Potter." Draco said mockingly. "You may think you are above me, but don't be fooled by superficial beliefs such as royal hierarchy. You may be of royal blood and destined to rule this land one day, but there is a stronger, more powerful hierarchy slowly building to power once again. Ever hear of Voldemort?" he asked in a deadly whisper. Every single onlooker shuddered. Malfoy smirked, seeing the crowd's reaction, "He is coming for revenge, and just who do you think will he be directing it to?" he said, redundantly.
"You're threats are nothing but petty squabble, Mr. Malfoy," Hermione said, using the same mocking tone he had used earlier, "Everyone here knows that Voldemort is nothing more than a myth; an allegory that all our parents have recited one way or another to keep us out of trouble."
A shadow of a smirk flickered on Malfoy's face. He inched closer to her until he was only a few centimeters from her face. Harry and Ron tensed from beside her. Malfoy spoke in a dangerous whisper, "Granger, eh? I've never heard of a wizarding family with the surname of Granger…unless," he gasped mockingly, "Maybe your family isn't of magic blood. If that be the case, I would highly recommend watching your back this year."
Before anymore words could be exchanged, clunking footsteps were heard coming toward them. Suddenly, Neville gasped and exclaimed, "Trevor!" He rus0hed to the top of the stairs and grabbed the pump frog. Just at that moment, McGonagall appeared at the top of the stairs and motioned them all to follow, "We are ready for you."
She led them over to the large doors she had walked through earlier and opened them. The trio was met with the sight of thousands of eyes staring straight at the 11 year olds. They followed McGonagall up the center isle. Harry looked around at all the people, some of whom had seemed to recognize him and were staring and pointing. He looked up at the table that was horizontal to the rest. The teachers sat there, watching politely. And, in the very center of the table, Harry smiled when he noticed, was Albus Dumbledore. The older man caught his eye and wink.
Hermione gasped and smiled from his left side, "Look," she whispered to Ron and Harry, "there's Dumbledore!" She waved furiously at him. He chuckled and waved calmly back. "And there's Uncle Remus!"
Harry looked back up to the table and caught sight of the grinning member of the Marauders. Harry smiled back and waved a little more discreetly than Hermione was doing.
"There's Fred, George, and Percy." Ron said, looking at the table to their right. He scowled at the twins, who were making baby faces at him while saying audibly, "Our ickle Ronnikins in growing up."
They were brought back to the present when they heard McGonagall talking, a stool placed in front of her with a scruffy, old wizard cap on it. She held a long list in her hands. "When I call your name, please come forward and place the hat on your head.
'Abbott, Hannah!'
The hat, surprising to the rest, not so surprising to Harry, Ron, and Hermione, spoke and said, "HUFFLEPUFF!"
Everyone clapped as she walked to the table that cheered the most.
'Anderson, Timothy!'
McGonagall's booming voice seemed to echo and blur to Harry as he spaced out. 'I wonder what my parents are doing right now…'
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"How do you think Harry is doing?" Lily said abruptly from the breakfast table. It was about 7:30 in the morning in Godric's Hollow. And a beautiful morning it was, too.
"I'm sure he's fine." James said, looking at his watch. "It's about 9:00 at night at Hogwarts right now. The 1st years are probably being sorted right at this moment."
Lily smiled and took a bite of her toast.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Harry was brought back again by the sound of McGonagall's voice calling out, 'Granger, Hermione!'
He felt Hermione tensed from beside him, so he gave her shoulder a comforting squeeze and gently pushed her forward, "Good luck, Mione!" Ron and Harry both whispered loudly.
Hermione gulped softly and made her way up to the hat. After she put it on, it took about thirty seconds before the hat called out, "GRYFFINDOR!"
The Gryffindor table erupted in cheers, the Weaselys being the loudest of all. She took a seat close to Fred, George, and Percy. Seamus was also sitting near them. Harry was shocked to see the half Irish lad there; he didn't even notice he had been sorted already.
Harry fell back into his reverie once again.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"You worry too much, love. He'll be just fine there." James said, standing up from the table. Lily stood as well, sighing.
"You're right. Of course you're right. But, he's just still my little boy." She said bitter-sweetly.
"And, you have another little baby on the way." James said, kissing her gently. "Come on, let's go on a picnic."
Lily giggled, "We just ate breakfast, honey."
"Alright, let me rephrase that," James said, grinning, "Let's pack up a picnic and take a walk in the meadow all day long."
He kissed her again and Lily made a "Mmmm." sound. "That sounds great." She said softly.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
'Potter, Harry!'
Ron elbowed Harry, gaining his attention. "You're up!" Ron whispered. Harry looked ahead to see everyone staring at him. Putting on an impassive face, he made his way through the crowd and to the stool. He grabbed the hat and sat down, placing it on his head.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"James, where did you go?" Lily called out, looking around all the wildflowers for her husband. Suddenly, she was grabbed round the waist and twirled around. Delighted, she laughed along with James. Finally, he put her down and spun her to face him. Eyes twinkling merrily, they both looked at one another. James brought something out from behind his back.
"Look what I have for the princess." He said, placing a crown of daisies upon her head like a tiara.
"It's beautiful, James." She said, placing her lips upon his.
Suddenly, he started to tickle her. She squealed and ran off, him chasing after her.
From upon a hill, a dark figure watched the happy couple. His black cloak trembled from the wind. He stood and watched them for a while longer before pulled the hood of the cloak over his head, all the while saying bitterly, "They've destroyed me once…I will not allow that to happen again." With a swish of his cloak, he disappeared.
Farther down with the happy couple, Lily, still giggling, looked up into the sky. Sighing once again, she spotted a bird flying through the blue sky. She whispered into the wind, "Good luck, Harry…"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
At that precise moment, the hat shouted out:
"GRYFFINDOR!"
The hall exploded into the loudest cheers so far. Grinning, Harry leaped off the stool and hurried down to the table and sat next to Hermione, who gave him a large hug. Harry glanced around the hall once again, noticing with distaste that Draco Malfoy sat at the Slytherian table, a bored look upon his face. Taking his eyes away from, who he felt, would be the greatest enemy of his, Harry looked up to the teacher's table to see Dumbledore and Lupin's reaction. Dumbledore caught his eye once again and winked, nodding proudly at him. Lupin looked beside himself with delight.
About ten minutes later, Ron's name was called, and to the delight of everyone else, he was placed into Gryffindor.
Ron was the last child, so when he was seated, Dumbledore stood and the hall immediately quieted, "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts…" he went on with, what Harry figured to be, a routine speech. There was a forest that was forbidden to the student body, they weren't allowed to go up to the third floor, and someone name Filch had posted a large list of rules on his office door.
In a matter of minutes, after they had just finished singing the school song in different tunes, every person in the room was stuffing their faces with delicious foods. Even Hermione had become hungry once again and was joyously chewing on a chicken leg.
"So, we've got Neville, Seamus, and Dean in our dormitory, right?" Ron said.
"Yeah, that sounds about right." Harry said, glancing up and down the table to make sure.
Hermione looked very gloomy. "'S wrong, Hermione?" Ron asked.
Hermione jerked her head to the left. Harry and Ron looked a few feet down and saw Parvati talking with some blonde haired girl. "Padma is in Ravenclaw, Parvati's in Gryffindor."
Harry raised an eyebrow, "So? That's' their problem, right?"
"Well, yes, of course. But, ugh!" Hermione scowled, "They both wouldn't so much as look at me yesterday and today, now that they're separated, Parvati easily talks to someone other than her twin, and makes friends with her. I say that her behavior is just rude. And to make matters worse, her and that girl, Lavender Brown, are the only two girls in my dorm."
"Aw, don't fret Hermione." George said, joining their conversation. "You wouldn't like hanging out with them anyway. They are really girlie. You're more of a tomboy anyway."
"Yeah, you've got us. What more could you ask for?" Harry said, grinning lopsidedly.
Hermione started to smile despite herself, "Loads more…but I guess you all will do for now." She said jokingly.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The months passed by quickly. The trio was adjusting quite well to Hogwarts. Back in Godric's Hollow, though, things weren't going that well. As days went on, King Harold got sicker and sicker. He was now to only stay in bed and never leave his room.
Lily and James were sitting at the dinner table with the rest of their friends. "Christmas is coming up," Lily reminded James. "Harry will be coming home soon."
"Unfortunately, this Christmas may not be as happy as previous ones. He's getting worse, Lily." James said painfully.
Lily squeezed James' hand, "I know, James. I know." Tears were forming in her eyes.
"Harry comes back the 15th," James sighed, blinking away tears, "Hopefully he'll make it till then."
"He will, James," Lily insisted, "No matter how frail and weak your father gets physically, mentally he is just as strong as you and I. He will last until after Christmas. And it will be a glorious Christmas." Lily stated.
"I just hope you're right, love." James said.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Alright, so we're just waiting on Elizabeth, Maddy, and Charlie." Lily said observantly, glancing around the room filled with all her dearest and closest loved ones. It was Christmas Eve and everyone was in their pajamas in the front parlor, all around a beautifully decorated Christmas tree, drinking hot chocolate and eating sweats. Stephan and Hermione sat close to one another, waiting for Elizabeth to return from her journey to her chambers to bring down some of her gifts. Cynthia, Patrick, and Seamus were huddled together. Six of the Weaselys, not counting Charlie, who was currently getting more presents to put under the tree, were seated next to one another. Harry and Neville were lighting some candles above the mantel. The King, who had come out of his room for the special event, and the Queen were seated at the cozy love seat, taking in all the joy around them. Remus, James, and Lily were seated on the floor in front of the love seat, watching Harry and Neville light the candles. The twins were giggling and gazing out the window, witnessing glittering snowflakes fall from the sky.
"Alright, I've brought down the rest of mine," Maddy said from the archway, carrying about five packages in her arms. James stood up and helped his little sister with them.
Charlie walked through next, "I think this is it," he said, looking at the packages in his hand, taking them over to the tree as well.
Elizabeth walked into the room, carrying only three, "Am I the last one? Alright, I guess we should start."
"Who will be Santa this year?" Cynthia asked.
"Neville, I think it's your turn," James said thoughtfully.
Neville's eyes lit up happily. He loved to be Santa. Immediately, he rushed over to the tree and started to hand out the presents to everyone. They all waiting until the very last present was gone from the bottom of the tree before they started to open their gifts.
Many 'ohhh's and 'awww's erupted from the group.
Lily and James heard Harry gasped loudly, "Thanks Mum, Dad!!" he looked over at them gleefully holding a new Nimbus 2000 in his hand.
"You're welcome, sweetie!" Lily said, smiling widely.
It took close to an hour before everyone had finished unwrapping their presents. And when they did, boy was that parlor a mess! 'Thank heavens for house elves.' James thought to himself.
Just then, Lily stood up, trying to quiet everyone down. "I just wanted to say a few things." She said, holding her cup of hot chocolate in her hands. She went on seriously, "I know that each and every Christmas is special and unique, but I have to say that this one is by far my favorite. Sure it may have its flaws. After all, some of us are missing," she glanced at Neville, Parvati, Padma, and finally at James, "Yes, some of us are missing in presence, but not in spirit.
"Every year, I always realize just how truly blessed I have been. The Lord has given me so many things to be grateful for. I always get to spend the holidays with my family. And, by next Christmas, we'll have another member in our large group of family." She said, rubbing her plump stomach. "This year, we have two more members of the family with us," she said, looking over at Parvati and Padma, "And I'm so happy they're here.
"Christmas is not about presents and gifts, but about friends and family. You are all my family, and I thank the Lord Almighty for blessing me with you all." With that, she sat down again next to James, who squeezed her hand.
The night progressed on. Around ten o'clock, all the children had dozed off on the floor and only the adults were awake. Lily and James were isolated from the rest, talking to each other.
"You know, you're amazing," James said suddenly. Lily looked up.
"I'm only this way because of you, James," she said, "I couldn't imagine how it would be without you. I love you."
"I love you too. Merry Christmas, Flower."
"Merry Christmas Jamesie."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N- I'm sorry. I know I didn't do the last two of my preview thingies yet. I just didn't want it to go from one happy moment, to an incredibly sad moment. Sorry about the delay. I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Things from the book and from this chapter differ, I'm sure. I was too lazy to get out the book, but I hope it was alright anyway. Just a redundant reminder to everyone, this is very AU.
OH, and to firehottie's question from her review of chapter two: Yeah, I can't really answer that. But I can tell you this; Lily and Hermione are my favorite characters as well. (Wink)
On to the reviews
*Slowly, things got back to normal.
*"I just wish Sirius was here!" "So do I."
*"May I present, the new King of Godric's Hollow…King James Harold Christopher Potter!"
*"Mum? What are you doing here?"
*"Only a few more lessons, and you should be as skilled as he was."
*"I would be careful if I were you, Your Highness."
*"Snape's acting weird."
*"And we're going to find out what it is."
*"I had a dream."
*"It's a letter." "What does it say?"